denomination

[dih-nom-uh-ney-shuhn]

noun

1. a religious group, usually including many local churches, often larger than a sect.

   the Lutheran denomination.

2. one of the grades or degrees in a series of designations of quantity, value, measure, weight, etc..

   He paid $500 in bills of small denomination.

3. a name or designation, especially one for a class of things.

4. a class or kind of persons or things distinguished by a specific name.

5. the act of naming or designating a person or thing.

denomination

/ dɪˌnɒmɪˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. a group having a distinctive interpretation of a religious faith and usually its own organization

2. a grade or unit in a series of designations of value, weight, measure, etc

   coins of this denomination are being withdrawn

3. a name given to a class or group; classification

4. the act of giving a name

5. a name; designation

Other Word Forms

• denominational adjective
• denominationally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of denomination¹

First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English denominacioun “name, designation; act of naming or designating,” from Latin dēnōminātiōn- (stem of dēnōminātiō “calling something by other than its proper name, substitution, metonymy,” equivalent to dēnōmināt(us) + -iōn-; denominate, -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of denomination¹

C15: from Latin dēnōminātiō a calling by name; see _denominate

Example Sentences

Of those, 30% identify as Catholics, the largest share of any denomination.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The Presbyterian Church is the largest Protestant denomination in Northern Ireland, and on the island.

Read more on BBC

A stronger relationship between the two Christian denominations is a "bulwark against those promoting conflict, division and tyranny," said a statement from the King's spokesman.

Read more on BBC

While India is about 80% Hindu, it is also home to the world’s third-largest Muslim population as well as a variety of other religious denominations.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But its purpose will be to show harmony between the two religious denominations, with the Sistine Chapel Choir singing alongside the Choir of St George's Chapel and the Choir of His Majesty's Chapel Royal.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• church 
• creed 
• cult 
• faith 
• persuasion 
• religion 
• sect